Easter 6, 2021 – Holy Communion

(Modified 2021-05-09: Added audio recording of service – including sermon.)

THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

MAY 9, 2021                                                   

10.30 Choral Holy Communion

Audio recording of full service (including sermon)

OPENING HYMN 211 Good Christians All Rejoice and Sing

Good Christians all rejoice and sing
Now is the triumph of our King
To all the world glad news we bring

Chorus:
Alleluia alleluia, alleluia

The Lord of Life is risen today
Sing songs of praise along his way
Let all the earth rejoice and say (Chorus)

Praise we in songs of victory
That Love that Life which cannot die
And sing with hearts uplifted high (Chorus)

Your name we bless O risen Lord
And sing today with one accord
The life laid down the Life restored (Chorus
)

THE LORD’S PRAYER

COLLECT FOR PURITY

ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SUMMARY OF THE LAW

OUR Lord Jesus Christ said: Hear O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and great commandment And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

Lord, have mercy upon us, and write both these thy laws in our hearts, we beseech thee.
Lord, have mercy upon us. 
Christ, have mercy upon us. 
Lord, have mercy upon us.

The Lord be with you; And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY.

O LORD, from whom all good things do come: Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE WELCOMING OF ENQUIRER INTO BAPTISM

The Presentation

The presider invites the sponsor to introduce the Inquirer. The introduction includes these words,
Sponsor: I present STEVE AND KAREN who wish their child  GUNNAR to follow the way of Christ.

The presider asks  the parents who speak on behalf of a young child,
What do you seek ?
Answer (The Inquirer makes a response)

Presider What do you ask of this community?
Answer ( The Inquirer makes a response.)

The presider replies as follows,

God gives the light of life to everyone who comes into the world, so that those who seek may truly find, and may live in God’s joy for ever. You have followed that light; you have come to seek the face of the Lord. Are you ready to share with us in the Church’s worship of God and service to the poor, and in seeking to know the way of Christ?
Answer I am.

Question Are you ready to seek God’s face by sharing with us and with your child in the Church’s worship of God and service to the poor, and in seeking to know the way of Christ?
Answer I am.

To the sponsor and congregation the presider says,

Dear friends in Christ, will you care for GUNNAR  and his  family, and support him/her/them by prayer and by example?
People We will.

Presider Will you help them to grow in the knowledge and love of God and of God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord?
People We will.

Presider Will you share with them, as God gives you opportunity, your own experience of life in Christ?
People We will.

Thanksgiving and Signing

The presider prays for the Inquirer (or the child), saying,

God of steadfast love, on behalf behalf of the family of Gunnar  we offer thanks and praise to you for the experience of your guiding presence which has brought them to this day. Help us to serve them faithfully with the kindness you have shown us, and to accept with joy all the gifts of grace they bring. Together may we offer ourselves in your service, seeking your kingdom and the honour of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The parent marks each part of the body with the sign of the cross while the presider says,

† GUNNAR, receive the cross of Christ on your forehead, as a sign of his great love for you.
† Receive the cross on your ears, that you may hear the Gospel of Christ.
† Receive the cross on your lips, that you may respond to the word of God.
† Receive the cross on your eyes, that your way may be illumined by the light of Christ.
† Receive the cross on your hands, that the mercy of God may be known in all your work.
† Receive the cross on your feet, that you may follow where Christ leads the way.
† Receive the cross on your shoulders, that you may bear the gentle yoke of Christ.
† Receive the cross on your heart, that Christ may dwell in you by faith.

Handing on the Gospel

The hearer may be presented with a copy of the Bible
GUNNAR, receive the good news; take hold on eternal life. May you always find in Jesus Christ a true friend.

Calling to be a Hearer

Then the presider says to him,
God’s word is like bread to our hearts; we cannot live without it. God’s word is like rain that comes down upon the earth; it brings forth fruit in our lives. Come now and share with us in hearing the word of the Lord.

The sponsor accompanies the hearer who takes a place among the people. The service continues with the Proclamation of the Word of God.

FIRST LESSON: Acts 10:44-48

While Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.  And the believers from among the circumcised who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,  “Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” and he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

R./ Thanks be to God.

PSALM 98

O SING Unto the LORD a new song; / for he hath done marvellous things.
With  his  own  right  hand,  and  with  his  holy arm, / hath he gotten himself the victory.

The LORD  hath  declared  his  salvation:  /  his righteousness  hath  he  openly  shown  in  the  sight of the nations.
He  hath  remembered  his  mercy  and  his  faith-fulness  toward  the  house  of  Israel;  /  and  all  the ends  of  the  world  have  seen  the  salvation  of  our God.

Show yourselves  joyful  unto  the  LORD, all ye lands: / sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
Praise  the LORD  upon  the  harp:  /  sing  to  the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.

With  trumpets  also  and  the  sound  of  the horn, / O show yourselves joyful before the LORD, the King.
LETthe sea make a noise, and all that is there-in; / the round world, and they that dwell therein.

Let  the  floods  clap  their  hands,  and  let  the hills  be  joyful  together  before  the LORD;  /  for  he is come to judge the earth.
With righteousness shall he judge the world,/ and the peoples with equity.

EPISTLE:  1 John 5:1-6

Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God, and every one who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood.

R./ Thanks be to God.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 15:9-17

R./ Glory be to Thee, O Lord.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

R./ Praise be to thee, O Christ.

THE HYMN: Glorious in Majesty

Glorious in majesty,
Holy in his praises,
Jesus, our Saviour and our King.
Born a man, yet God of old,
Let us all adore him:
Filled with his Spirit, let us sing.

Living is to love him,
serving him to know his freedom.
Come along with us to join the praise of Jesus.
Come to Jesus now,
Go to live his word rejoicing.

Victory he won for us,
Freeing us from darkness,
Dying and rising from the dead.
Living with the Father now,
Yet he is among us:
We are the body, he the head.

One in love, as family,
Living with each other,
Gladly we share each other’s pain.
Yet he will not leave us so,
Soon he is returning,
Taking us back with him to reign.

THE NICENE CREED

I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
     And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father before all worlds; God, of God; Light, of Light; Very God, of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; Through whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.
     And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, The Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

THE SERMON – Canon Claude Schroeder

THE OFFERTORY

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5. 12.

THE HYMN  O Thou Who Camest from Above.

Thou Who camest from above,
The pure celestial fire to impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
On the mean altar of my heart.

There let it for Thy glory burn
With inextinguishable blaze,
And trembling to its source return,
In humble prayer and fervent praise.

Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire
To work and speak and think for Thee;
Still let me guard the holy fire,
And still stir up Thy gift in me.

Ready for all Thy perfect will,
My acts of faith and love repeat,
‘Til death Thy endless mercies seal,
And make my sacrifice complete.

OFFERTORY ANTHEM

BLESSED be thou, LORD God of Israel, for ever and ever. All that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine. All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chronicles 29. 10, 11, 14.

THE BIDDINGS

THE INTERCESSION.

ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men: We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our alms and oblations, andto receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.
     We beseech thee also to lead all nations in the way of righteousness; and so to guide and direct their governors and rulers, that thy people may enjoy the blessings of freedom and peace: And grant unto thy servant ELIZABETH our Queen, and to all that are put in authority under her, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue.
     Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, and specially to thy servant GREGORY our Metropolitan and ROBERT our Bishop, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and living Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments: Prosper, we pray thee, all those who proclaim the Gospel of thy kingdom among the nations: And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and specially to this congregation here present, that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
     And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succour all them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, especially those for whom our prayers are desired.
     We remember before thee, O Lord, all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear: and we bless thy holy Name for all who in life and death have glorified thee; beseeching thee to give us grace that, rejoicing in the fellowship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles, Peter, Paul, and John and all the Saints, we may follow their good examples, and with them be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom.
     Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION 

YE that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead the new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him: Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

COMFORTABLE WORDS

THANKSGIVING AND CONSECRATION

THE Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts;
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
 It is meet and right so to do.

Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord’s Table, and say:

IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, Creator and Preserver of all things.  BUT chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again bath restored to us everlasting life.  Therefore with Angels, and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee and saying:

HOLY, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
BLESSED is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

BLESSING and glory and thanksgiving be unto thee Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memorial of that his precious death, until his coming again.
     Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took Bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the Cup; and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all, of this; for this is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
     Wherefore, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we thy humble servants, with all thy holy Church, remembering the precious death of thy beloved Son, his mighty resurrection, and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again in glory, do make before thee, in this sacrament of the holy Bread of eternal life and the Cup of everlasting salvation, the memorial which he hath commanded; And we entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion; And we pray that by the power of thy Holy Spirit, all we who are partakers of this holy Communion may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.

THE peace of the Lord be always with you;
And with thy spirit.

PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS

WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, Trusting in our own righteousness, But in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy So much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, Whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, So to eat the Flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, And to drink his Blood, That our sinful bodies may be made clean by his Body, And our souls washed through his most precious Blood, And that we may evermore dwell in him, And he in us. Amen.

THE COMMUNION

What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits  to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation, and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people
In the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. 

(Psalm 116.12-14,17-19)

AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION.

Those not receiving the Holy Communion, may make the following prayers:

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen. 

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits you have given me, for all the pains and insults you have borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen. 

COMMUNION HYMN

Spirit of the living God, move among us all;
Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love.
Humble, caring, selfless, sharing –
Spirit of the living God, move among us all.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Let us pray.

OUR Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

     ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee that thou dost graciously feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; assuring us thereby of thy favour and goodness towards us; and that we are living members of his mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom.
     And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee. And although we are unworthy, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen. 

GLORIA

GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
     O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
     For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

BLESSING

THE peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

DISMISSAL.

Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

THE HYMN: 485 Love, Divine All Loves Excelling

Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return and never,
never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly re stored in thee,
changed from glory into glory
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.